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Rodent Control.
There were 908 complaints of rats and 414 of mice received during 1955, and
in addition to the investigation of these complaints the systematic inspection under
the " block control " system was continued.
A total of 16,339 premises were inspected during the year and of these 12,975
were under the " block control " system. The number of properties found to be
infested by rats or mice was 2,133 ; this included 171 business and industrial
premises.
Where the cause of the infestation appears to be due to defective drains or
other defects in the building, the owner is requested to effect the necessary repairs.
In this connection the Department carried out 38 smoke tests on suspected defective
drains at rat infested premises, and these tests produced evidence of 21 defective
drains.
One formal notice, under the provisions of the Prevention of Damage by Pests
Act, 1949, was served on an occupier of a house in New Eltham, to remove a quantity
of garden rubbish which was harbouring rats.
A total of 24 " block control " schemes was carried out during the year. As
in previous years the Council continued its practice of arranging free treatment in
respect of infestations in private dwellings. A charge is made for treatment carried
out by the Council at business and industrial premises.
With the co-operation of the Borough Engineer's Department, two sewer
treatments and one test baiting were undertaken during 1955, and in this way
the number of rats in the sewers has been kept under control. The number of
" takes " recorded at the December treatment showed a 14 per cent, fall on the
previous treatment.
Mosquitoes and Other Pests.
During the year a number of complaints were received from various parts of
the Borough of infestations of cockroaches, moths, crickets, silver fish, etc. Advice
was given in each case, and, where necessary, treatment was carried out. Two
infestations of cockroaches were dealt with by the Department during the year for
which charges were made. One of these infestations occurred in a Borough Council
establishment.
At the request of the Director of Housing, infestation of woodworm
was treated by the use of Hydrogen Cyanide in the Department's specially
equipped pantechnicon. The pantechnicon was also used to carry out the Hydrogen
Cyanide treatment to two three-piece suites.
Charges totalling £22 4s. lOd. were made upon the responsible persons for the
treatments referred to above.
During 1955 several complaints of wasps nesting in houses or gardens were
received and in seven cases the Department destroyed the nests. Charges totalling
£7 10s. 5d. were made upon the occupiers of the premises concerned.